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The Passing Of Maurice The Pug Dog

Last week I had to
make the worst decision of my life, a decision I was praying I would never have
to make.

Our Pug Dog Maurice, a
loved member of our family, for the past sixteen years, a ripe old age for any dog, was on his last legs, in
fact, he had been that way for quite a while.

The last photo of Maurice.

Easter 2014.

When we first adopted Maurice, he was named Aramis, he didn't look quite the type to be a musketeer though, so, my daughter re-named him Maurice, rather strange, I thought, at the time, where on earth did that come from? But he did grow into his name!

Maurice's father, sitting proudly, with his awards.

See what a grand background Maurice came from?

Our good friend Robert,
who makes a yearly trip to visit us, had already said his goodbyes to Maurice,
twice, when returning to England, but, after his last trip in September, there
were no goodbyes, “What’s the point?” asked Robert;

“He’s going to outlive us
all”

Maurice, when he first joined our family.

MGG giving Maurice his first bath, after he came to live with us.

MGG, Amos and Maurice.

All three in their youth!

Dimitris, my daughter’s
boyfriend, when visiting, would say;

”Maurice, are you still alive?”

Then, things changed,
Maurice looked worse, it wasn’t a joke anymore, people were now asking me what
I was going to do about him.

At this point Maurice
was still capable of getting in and out of his basket, he was eating and
although we did have accidents, he was still able to walk outside to the “Loo”

Maurice, chilling!

Maurice did look terrible
though, just skin and bone, and rather wobbly on his legs, it took him a while
to “Get going”

I decided that when
he could no longer get out of his basket, well, that was the end.

When that time came
though, I couldn’t do it; instead, I lifted him, in, and out of his basket to
eat and to go to the “Loo”

Maurice

The situation
deteriorated, I was washing his bedding three times a day, and I couldn’t keep
up with it.

Every morning, on
waking, I would pray that Maurice had died in the night, peacefully, in his
sleep.

He didn’t do me the
favour,

I talked to him,
begged him to go, but Maurice just hung on.

I was being selfish,
thinking more of my own misery, than the misery of Maurice, I felt guilty, I
felt terrible, and I was a wreck.

Maurice in the snow.

A rare occasion in Greece!

The only thing on my mind, from waking in the
morning, until going to bed at night, was Maurice.

My family tried to
persuade me to make the decision, bite the bullet, I knew they were right, I
agreed a couple of times, yes, alright, tomorrow, but when tomorrow came, again, I
said no.

Old friends, Maurice and Hugo.

Last Monday, the
family were all here for a meal, and the subject of Maurice was brought up, yet
again, I came to my senses, this time, I thought of Maurice, not of myself.

MGG (My Greek God)
rang the vet, Maria, she was at her surgery, but would come as soon as she
closed.

It was only six o
clock, the surgery finished at nine; I had three hours of hell to get through.

It was suggested I take Maurice there, to Maria, to avoid an excruciating
three hours, but no, Maurice was going to die, here, at home, with all of us
around him, I owed him that much.

Me and my Maurice.

MGG went down to the
bottom of our garden, the resting place of Amos, our boxer dog, who died at the
age of twelve, and of Ziggy, our groenendael, who died at the early age of only
four years, and of my friend’s dog, a beautiful blonde cocker spaniel, Daisy.

Amos as an old man.

My daughter, Nais, and Amos

Amos and Ziggy

Daisy

MGG dug a space for my darling Maurice, in the garden, where once, Maurice had happily frolicked about with his friends , he was now about to go and join them all, there in doggy heaven.

Sweet Maurice.

With these three aforementioned dogs, we had been lucky, they died naturally, and as sad as it
was, no nasty decisions had to be made.

The doorbell rang
just after nine, I thought my heart would break, I held Maurice in my arms,
said my last goodbye and Maria, who was so sweet and kind, did what she had to
do.

Maurice, going through a chubby stage,
don't we all?

I hope, with all my
heart, Maurice didn’t understand what was happening, and that he is now, once more with
his friends, Amos, Ziggy and Daisy.

Who'll get the biscuit?

Nais with the gang, Amos, Ziggy and Maurice.

They always joined in with family birthday celebrations.

Here they all are enjoying a piece of birthday cake from my 50th!

Maurice had gone and I was devastated, but
also relieved, he was out of his misery, I had done it, got it over with.

Maurice, my little
friend, I’ll never forget you, just as I have never forgotten your three friends.
I wish you all a happy reunion.

Always together, never apart.

Now, you're all together again.

Now, it’s just you
and me Hugo;

“Are you missing your old pal?”

Hugo, missing his old friend, Maurice.

Hugo, we’ll get through it together.

Hugo is our other
pug, he’s eight and a half years old, and, as you can imagine, right now he’s
being spoiled to death!

Maurice and Hugo.

There is nothing sadder than an old dog.

I say now, that Hugo will
be our last dog, but, you know what they say;

The title of you post came up in my 'feed' this morning and it has taken me the better part of the day to open it. Making 'that decision' is the most difficult thing we ever had to do for our 'boys' (two rescue cats, gifted cats, I might add ;-) ) and they were our family, our only children, for 18 years, dying a year apart. In each case we had to make 'that decision' and while the Vet and my head told me we were doing the best thing for them, my heart was breaking. It has been 10 years and still reading of other friends who've had to make 'that decision' breaks my heart all over again as I know what you are going through. You did make the right decision. My theory is that if heaven really exists then they will all be up there healthy and happy and waiting for treats as soon as we all get there. Hugs to you, Susan.

That's it exactly Jackie, pets become our children, don't they?Yes, I know I made the right decision, as hard as it was, but it still hurts.Sorry about your cats, what an age! They were so lucky to have been taken in by you, I'm sure they had wonderful lives.As for your theory, I'm of the same mind, which does bring comfort.Susan.x

Oh Susan, my heart goes out to you and your family in reading this. I still have not had to make that decision yet for one of our beloved four-legged family members but I can imagine the pain that you must be in. It is obvious in this tribute how much he was loved by you all. I firmly believe that he has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is now free from pain and is back to his true self, yes, hopefully playing with his companions. Please give Huge a kiss from me and know that I am sending a warm hug your way, even if it is a virtual one,xoHeather

Thank you Heather, I do hope you never have to make this terrible decision, it was truly heartbreaking, even though I knew it was for Maurice's own good.It's a comfort to think of him, over the Rainbow bridge,back with his friends.Hugo is just about to get the biggest kiss!Susan.x

So sorry to hear this sad news, been in your position several times and nothing but time makes it less painful. When we had to do this for our beloved husky ( 17 years old ) we were devastated, then a friend sent us the Rainbow Bridge. At first it seemed a bit overly sentimental ( I'm a dour, Scot/emotional Greek combination ), but it actually gave me some comfort. I hope it does the same for you. ~Jan https://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

Thank you, I have seen the phrase Rainbow Bridge, here and there, I just assumed it was a way of saying loved pets had crossed the Rainbow Bridge, to a better place, I didn't know it was a poem. Thanks for the info, I shall look it up now, I'm sure I shall have a good cry!Susan.x

Oh, Rainbow bridge is an actual website, how wonderful, well, I read the poem/article, and when I reached this bit...yes...I cried!!!"They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart."